Faces of Orchard Village
Michael
Michael is a 22 year old individual with a developmental disability. Michael graduated from Maine West High School in 2002. During his high school years, Michael worked in a variety of jobs including Jewel
Michael was a good worker and enjoyed the work that he did but wanted something more. Through our Vocational Department, Michael learned that he could get a job at Goodwill Industries working in one of the galleys at the Great Lakes Naval base. He was excited about this opportunity but there were several complications. Transportation was the main concern. Michael lives in Des Plaines and the pick-up site for the Goodwill bus was at Old Orchard Mall in Skokie. Michael lives with his parents and they were tremendously supportive of this job for Michael and decided to make the sacrifice and pick Michael up there each evening since no transportation was available. Because of the combined efforts of Michael, his parents and the Vocational Department, Michael started working at Goodwill in October of 2005.
Michael loved his job at Goodwill and was well liked in return. He found fulfillment in serving our country by serving our servicemen and women. Although Michael was very successful in this job, his parents were finding it increasingly difficult to provide the needed transportation. So after a year at Goodwill, Michael got a job closer to home.
In October of 2007, Michael started at the Garden Fresh Store that had just opened up four blocks from his house. The Human Resource Director was very excited to have Michael working in their store. After several weeks of training with his Vocational Specialist, Michael was able to do the job like a pro. He likes his new job and as before, he is well liked in return. Michael has carried over the good work ethics and the respect for others that he accrued in his previous jobs. This, along with the efforts of the Vocational staff and his parents, has made Michael a very successful young man.
Nancy
Nancy was a cheerleader for Niles West High School. When it came time to graduate in 1975, she needed a place where she could grow into her own person and not feel so reliant upon her parents. “I wanted to be on my own. Orchard Village was the only place I found where I could visit my family on the weekends and go on vacation with them. My favorite memory is when my family and I went on vacation to Kentucky for an entire week. It was so fun.”
Since coming to Orchard Village 32 years ago, Nancy has expanded her definition of family. “The people I’ve met here are my favorite things about Orchard Village.” These people have helped Nancy advance her career from her very first job at Burger King to her current job at SHORE Community Services’ supported employment workshop where she “makes a whole lot more money.” She has also been introduced to ambitious new hobbies, a favorite of which is cooking. Nancy learned to grow her own vegetables and create recipes with them when she began the Orchard Village Salubris™ program over a year ago.
Nancy has accomplished a lot in her life at Orchard Village, but she’s not stopping now. She is currently working with her Outcome Facilitator to become a better reader so she can expand her repertoire of literature. “It will be like I’m taking a vacation when I read a new book!”
Tony
When you ask Tony if he is learning a lot at Orchard Academy, he’ll tell you, “I’m learning the things I wanted to, and some I didn’t expect – like cooking and doing dishes! Now I can cook using a recipe. I really like to make pasta and stir fry.”
Tony is a part of the inaugural class at Orchard Academy, which opened its doors in August. He knew he had a lot to learn before he graduated from high school. After discovering the intensive training in vocational, independent living and social skills that Orchard Academy offers, he decided it was the place for him to complete his last years of school.
In addition to learning how to cook, Tony has taken an interest in helping the Orchard Village maintenance staff keep the campus in good condition. He especially likes landscaping the campus, having learned the necessary mowing, planting and edging skills from his uncle when Tony was young.
Tony keeps busy during the school day. He learns life skills like cleaning and cooking. He practices job searching on the internet, participates in Job Club at Orchard Village and volunteers at Petco. His vocational specialist, Emily, is helping him achieve his career goals. “She teaches me how to be professional. You have to look nice, be polite, and greet people around the workplace.” Tony is also learning by example from the Orchard Village Vocational Director and Orchard Academy creator, Tim Bobrowski. “Tim treats me with respect, like an adult. He answers all my questions about my job and other stuff without losing patience. Tim’s a really nice guy.”
Tony has high hopes for life after Orchard Academy. He would like to live on his own someday and support himself with a full time job – but only if his mom won’t miss him too much!
Samantha
Samantha finally has a place to call home. After losing her adoptive mother to an asthma attack at the age of 12, Samantha bounced through foster care homes, never learning the life skills necessary to live independently. She joined Orchard Village when she turned 18 years old. With the help of our Transitions Program, Samantha has learned to compensate for her developmental disability of mild mental retardation as well as hearing loss and has learned the basic skills needed to live a fulfilling life on her own.
Today Samantha is proud to report that she is a contributing member of her community with her own apartment and a rewarding career at a local high school. Over the last couple of years, Samantha has learned how to do her own grocery shopping, navigate around her local neighborhood, make and keep her own medical appointments and successfully budget her income. During her free time she enjoys babysitting, playing computer games to build her math skills and is currently learning how to praise dance at an area church.
